HOUGHTON — Meridian graduate Jake Wenzlick had a memorable final collegiate game on Saturday, as Michigan Tech held off visiting Northwood for a 34-21 victory in both teams’ season finale. The Timberwolves end at 1-10 overall and 1-7 in the GLIAC, while the Huskies conclude at 5-5, 3-5.
Wenzlick, a senior and one of the league’s top receivers, had six catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns, all game highs, for the Huskies.
Tech was up 3-0 after one quarter and 13-0 at halftime before the Timberwolves cut it to 13-7 on an 8-yard TD pass from Nate Gomez to Christian Martinez midway through the third quarter. After the Huskies scored a touchdown early in the fourth to make it 20-7, Northwood countered with a 66-yard TD pass from Gomez to Tajae Leslie to get to within 20-14 with 9:49 left to play.
Tech came right back with a 73-yard TD pass from Will Ark to Wenzlick moments later to extend to a 27-14 lead. The Timberwolves capped a seven-play, 55-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run by Dow High alum Justin Cook, trimming the deficit to 27-21 with 6:37 remaining, but the Huskies put it away with a 12-yard TD pass from Ark to Wenzlick with 3:55 left on the clock.
MTU finished with a 585-256 advantage in total offense and a 27-9 edge in first downs.
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Jake Wenzlick
Jake Wenzlick
Photo: Michigantechhuskies.com
Jake Wenzlick
Jake Wenzlick
Photo: Michigantechhuskies.com
Ark was 20 of 26 passing for 317 yards and two TDs for the Huskies, while Jared Smith ran 25 times for 172 yards.
For Northwood, Gomez was 6 of 19 passing for 142 yards and two TDs, while Leslie had two catches for 70 yards and a TD and also led the Timberwolves in rushing with 42 yards on only two carries. Bryant Kieft added two receptions for 53 yards.
Dimitri Abro capped a terrific senior campaign by leading NU’s defense with 15 tackles, while also finishing as the GLIAC’s leading tackler for the season. Luke Bakker and Erik Santiago added 13 tackles apiece for the Timberwolves.